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Enter your gross pay before any deductions
Your marginal federal bracket
Auto-filled from state selection
Health insurance, 401(k), union dues, etc.

Pay Breakdown

Gross Pay --
Federal Income Tax --
State Income Tax --
Social Security (6.2%) --
Medicare (1.45%) --
Total Deductions --
Net Pay (take-home) --
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How This Calculator Works

Pick your direction at the top. "Gross to Net" starts with what you earn and shows what you keep. "Net to Gross" starts with what you want to keep and shows what you need to earn. Both directions use the same tax math, just solved in opposite directions.

When you select a state from the dropdown, the state income tax rate and sales tax rate fill in automatically using 2026 data from the Tax Foundation and state revenue departments. The state income tax shown is the top marginal rate for that state. If your state uses graduated brackets, your effective rate may be lower than the top rate shown. For a more precise figure, check your most recent state tax return.

Social Security and Medicare are set to auto-calculate by default at 6.2% and 1.45% respectively. If you need to adjust these, such as if you have already hit the Social Security wage base ($176,100 for 2026) and owe no more SS tax for the year, switch to manual input and set the rate to 0.

The sales tax rate is shown for reference so you can factor spending power into salary comparisons between states. A $5,000 take-home in Oregon (0% sales tax) goes further than $5,000 in Tennessee (7% sales tax) because everyday purchases cost more in Tennessee.

When You Need This Calculator

Salary negotiations are the most common reason people look this up. If you know you need $4,500 per month after taxes to cover your bills, you need to know what gross salary to ask for. Going into a negotiation with that number keeps you from underselling yourself.

Employers use the net-to-gross direction when they want to offer someone a specific take-home amount. If you promise a new hire that they will receive $3,000 every two weeks, you need to know what gross goes on the offer letter so that after withholding, the math works out.

People comparing job offers across states use both directions. A $90,000 salary in Texas (no state income tax) leaves more in your pocket than $90,000 in California (up to 13.3% state tax), but California might have other benefits. This calculator helps you see the actual dollar difference.

Note: This calculator uses flat percentage rates as approximations. Actual payroll taxes use marginal brackets, and your effective rate may differ from the top marginal rate shown. Social Security tax applies only up to $176,100 in wages for 2026. State tax rates shown are top marginal rates and may not reflect your actual bracket. This tool does not account for tax credits, pre-tax deductions (like 401k reducing taxable income), or local income taxes that some cities and counties impose. It is for estimation purposes only and is not tax or financial advice. Consult a payroll professional or CPA for exact calculations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate gross pay from net pay?
Divide your desired net pay by (1 minus your total percentage-based deduction rate), then add back any flat-dollar deductions. For example, if you want $4,000 net and your combined tax rate is 30%, the gross needed is $4,000 divided by 0.70, which equals about $5,714. This calculator does the math for you using your state's actual tax rate.
What is the difference between gross and net pay?
Gross pay is what you earn before anything gets taken out. Net pay is what lands in your bank account after federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and any other deductions are subtracted. The gap between the two is typically 25% to 40% of gross pay depending on your income level and state.
Which states have no income tax?
Nine states have no individual income tax as of 2026: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. New Hampshire eliminated its interest and dividends tax in 2025. Washington does impose a 7% tax on capital gains income above $270,000 but does not tax wages or salary.
What percentage of my paycheck goes to taxes?
Most employees see 25% to 40% of their gross pay go to taxes and deductions. Federal income tax takes 10% to 37% depending on your bracket. Social Security is 6.2% on wages up to $176,100 in 2026. Medicare is 1.45% on all wages. State income tax adds 0% to 13.3% depending on where you live. The exact amount depends on your income, filing status, and state.

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